A deal has been struck to bring Dublin businessman Richard O'Halloran back home after three years of being blocked from leaving China.
The Foxrock man had been held without charge since 2019 after he travelled to the country to resolve a dispute involving his company chairman.
Richard is an employee of China International Aviation Leasing Service, and has become entangled in a dispute between his employer and the Chinese state.
Min Jiedong, who is the chairman of CIALS Ireland, is in jail after he was alleged to have defrauded Chinese investors through a peer-to-peer scheme to buy an aircraft.
The scheme was carried out before Richard joined the company, and he has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
And he is now finally able to return home after the Department of Foreign Affairs struck a deal with authorities in China.
In a short statement, they confirmed Richard would be coming back "shortly".
They added: "This has been a difficult time for Mr O’Halloran and his family.
"The Government has been actively engaged on the matter throughout and is delighted it has reached a successful result.
"The Minister wishes to acknowledge the recent cooperation of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland and of the Chinese authorities, and to thank all those who have assisted in achieving this positive outcome.
"The Minister wishes Mr O’Halloran a happy reunion with his family."
In an interview with Prime Time last year, the aircraft leasing worker described his heartbreak at being separated from his family.
He said: “I’m a very hands-on father and literally within the blink of an eye that’s all gone.
“It’s very difficult for me to process but for the children it’s devastating. It’s very difficult to explain to a five year old, now seven, that Daddy’s not coming home for your birthday, your communion, your confirmation, or Christmas.
"There is no reason for me to be stuck here. I should be allowed to return home.”
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